Notice of Extension of Public Comment Period: Request for Comments (RFC)-Federal Cybersecurity Research and Development Strategic Plan, 76537-76538 [2012-31168]
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Federal Register / Vol. 77, No. 249 / Friday, December 28, 2012 / Notices
compact development process. Capacity
constraints may impact the timeline for
the compact development process.
Sierra Leone is a post-conflict country
that has undergone dramatic reforms
over the past several years. Many of
these reforms are reflected in the FY13
scorecard, which Sierra Leone passes for
the first time, after notable
improvements in all scorecard
categories. Sierra Leone recently held its
third democratic election since the end
of its civil war, which was widely
recognized as peaceful, transparent, and
participatory. It has strengthened its
anti-corruption commission, provided
free health care to children under five
and pregnant and lactating women,
expanded vaccine coverage, improved
access to credit, and lowered trade
barriers. The Government of Sierra
Leone’s policy reforms, direct
engagement with MCC’s indicator
institutions and now passing scorecard
illustrate the strength of the MCC’s
incentive effect. Scorecards for Sierra
Leone can be found here: www.mcc.gov/
scorecards. Capacity constraints may
result in a longer compact development
process.
Tanzania is a democratic nation
experiencing economic growth and
working to reduce one of the highest
poverty rates in the world. In FY13,
Tanzania passed the indicator criteria
for the eighth consecutive year.
Scorecards for Tanzania can be found
here: www.mcc.gov/scorecards.
Tanzania is one of only four countries
to be included as a pilot country for the
U.S. Partnership for Growth (PFG)
initiative. Tanzania’s role as a pilot PFG
country makes it uniquely situated to
utilize compact resources effectively. In
2011, under the PFG initiative, Tanzania
completed a constraints to growth
analysis. There is an engaged MCA team
already in operation, and the
Government of Tanzania and U.S.
Government have, through the PFG,
both committed to focusing efforts
towards combating specificallyidentified constraints to growth.
Tanzania’s current compact, which will
close in September 2013, is investing in
roads, access to potable water, and
improving the energy sector.
With this selection decision, MCC
looks forward to increased competition
during compact development among
those countries already selected. The
agency believes that a deeper pool of
qualified contenders competing for
scarce budget resources will reinforce
the importance of maintaining strong
performance on the policy indicators
and can inspire a more efficient, highquality compact development process.
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76537
Countries Re-Selected To Continue
Compact Development
Ongoing Review of Partner Countries’
Policy Performance
Four of the countries selected as
eligible for MCA compact assistance in
FY13 were previously selected as
eligible. Reselection allows them to
continue compact development and
access funding from FY2013. These
countries include Benin, El Salvador,
Georgia, and Ghana.
The Board reselected these countries
based on their continued performance
since their prior selection. The Board
determined that since their initial
selection, there has been no material
change in their performance on the
indicator criteria that indicates a serious
decline in policy performance. All four
countries pass the scorecards.
The Board also reviewed the policy
performance of countries that are
implementing compacts. These
countries do not need to be re-selected
each year in order to continue
implementation. Once MCC makes a
commitment to a country through a
compact agreement, MCC does not
consider the country for reselection on
an annual basis during the term of its
compact. The Board emphasized the
need for all partner countries to
maintain or improve their policy
performance. If it is determined that a
country has demonstrated a significant
policy reversal, MCC can hold it
accountable by applying MCC’s
Suspension and Termination Policy.
Countries Newly Selected for Threshold
Program Eligibility
For FY13, the Board selected
Guatemala as eligible for threshold
assistance. This selection is consistent
with the recently re-designed threshold
program. Under the re-designed
concept, the new threshold country
programs will no longer focus explicitly
on trying to move indicator scores.
Rather, the program will allow countries
to diagnose binding constraints to
economic growth and demonstrate the
capacity and political will to make
difficult policy reforms in partnership
with MCC. This will contribute directly
to the Board’s understanding of a
country’s capacity to undertake the type
of policy reforms typically required to
enable a compact investment to have
maximum sustainable impact.
Guatemala passes 10 of 20 indicators
on the scorecard, including both
Democratic Rights indicators, and
performs on the median on Control of
Corruption. Guatemala’s government
has engaged on a series of reform to
improve the fight against corruption and
strengthen the rule of law.
Countries Re-Selected To Continue
Developing Threshold Programs
Two countries selected as eligible for
threshold assistance in FY13 were
previously selected as eligible.
Reselection allows them to continue
developing threshold programs and
access funding from FY2013. These
countries are Honduras and Nepal.
The Board reselected these countries
based on their continued performance
since their prior selection. The Board
determined that since their initial
selection, there has been no material
change in their performance that
indicates a serious decline in policy
performance.
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Selection to Initiate the Compact
Process
The Board also authorized MCC to
invite Liberia, Morocco, Niger, Sierra
Leone, and Tanzania to submit a
proposal for a compact, as described in
section 609 of the Act (22 U.S.C. 7708).
Submission of a proposal is not a
guarantee that MCC will finalize a
compact with an eligible country. Any
MCA assistance provided under section
605 of the Act (22 U.S.C. 7704) will be
contingent on the successful negotiation
of a mutually agreeable compact
between the eligible country and MCC,
approval of the compact by the Board,
and the availability of funds.
[FR Doc. 2012–31278 Filed 12–27–12; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 9211–03–P
NATIONAL SCIENCE FOUNDATION
Notice of Extension of Public
Comment Period: Request for
Comments (RFC)—Federal
Cybersecurity Research and
Development Strategic Plan
The National Coordination
Office (NCO) for Networking
Information Technology Research and
Development (NITRD), NSF.
ACTION: Notice of Extension of Public
Comment Period: Request for Comments
(RFC).
AGENCY:
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Tomas Vagoun at vagoun@nitrd.gov or
(703) 292–4873.
DATES: To be considered, submissions
must be received by January 11, 2013.
SUMMARY: National Coordination Office
(NCO) for Networking Information
Technology Research and Development
(NITRD) has extended the public
comment period for its Request for
E:\FR\FM\28DEN1.SGM
28DEN1
tkelley on DSK3SPTVN1PROD with
76538
Federal Register / Vol. 77, No. 249 / Friday, December 28, 2012 / Notices
Comments (RFC)—Federal
Cybersecurity Research and
Development Strategic Plan [Federal
Register Volume 77, Number 227, Doc
No: 2012–28481, November 26, 2012] to
January 11, 2013. Comments are to be
submitted to cybersecurity@nitrd.gov.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: This
Request For Comments (RFC), originally
published in the Federal Register on
November 26, 2012 [FR Volume 77,
Number 227, Doc No: 2012–28481] is
issued by the Cyber Security and
Information Assurance Research and
Development Senior Steering Group
(SSG) of the Federal Networking and
Information Technology Research and
Development (NITRD) Program. The
SSG is preparing a report to provide an
update on technological developments
in Federal cybersecurity research and
development since the release of the
2011 Federal Cybersecurity Research
and Development Strategic Plan (the
strategic plan). Also, in light of the ever
evolving technological landscape of
cybersecurity, and as input to its followon report, the SSG seeks comments on
the progress over the past year in the
research areas identified in the strategic
plan, the strategic plan’s impact in
orienting private sector cybersecurity
research and development activities, the
successes and challenges in achieving
the technological objectives outlined in
the plan, and on any nascent or
emerging areas in cybersecurity research
and development that warrant further
focus. Additionally, the comments will
be used by the SSG in its assessment of
future needs and directions in Federal
cybersecurity research and
development.
Continued cybersecurity research and
development is critical to ensuring that
we are on track as a Nation to develop
innovative tools and capabilities to
address cybersecurity threats. In
December 2011, the White House Office
of Science and Technology Policy
(OSTP) released the ‘‘Trustworthy
Cyberspace: Strategic Plan for the
Federal Cybersecurity Research and
Development Program,’’ a framework for
a set of coordinated Federal strategic
priorities and objectives for
cybersecurity research. (https://
www.nitrd.gov/Publications/Publication
Detail.aspx?pubid=39)
The strategic plan was developed
under the leadership of the Cyber
Security and Information Assurance
Research and Development Senior
Steering Group (SSG) of the Federal
Networking and Information
Technology Research and Development
(NITRD) Program. It identifies key
cybersecurity research and development
VerDate Mar<15>2010
20:15 Dec 27, 2012
Jkt 229001
themes that are shaping and facilitating
a coordinated Federal research and
development agenda to engender gamechanging technologies. With this
overarching template, the federal
scientific community has been focusing
on a common set of problems. The
strategic plan is being executed by all of
the agencies conducting and funding
Federal cybersecurity research,
including DARPA, Department of
Homeland Security, Department of
Energy, IARPA, National Institute of
Standards and Technology, National
Security Agency, National Science
Foundation, and the Department of
Defense. Input from industry, academia,
and other stakeholders during the
development of the strategic plan
contributed greatly to the formulation of
Federal research directions in
cybersecurity. Guided by this plan,
many research activities, initiatives, and
solicitations have already been
launched by Federal agencies in all
areas defined by the plan.
In an effort to continue to evolve
Federal strategic directions in
cybersecurity research, the SSG seeks
comments to gain a better
understanding of the plan’s impact.
Furthermore, the SSG seeks input
regarding prospective areas in
cybersecurity research and development
that might benefit from coordinated
support by Federal agencies. To assist
with its report, the SSG is requesting
that interested parties submit written
comments. We welcome comments from
all interested parties, including, but not
limited to, academia, private industry,
and all levels of government. We seek
comments on the following questions in
relation to the strategic plan:
(1) Research Themes of the Strategic
Plan:
(a) Do the research themes need to be
refined or enhanced? If so, in what way?
(b) What are the research,
development, implementation,
transition-to-practice, or other
challenges that need to be overcome to
achieve the goals under each theme?
(c) Are there areas in cybersecurity
research not addressed by the strategic
plan that should be? If yes, what are
they, why are they important, and what
advances in such areas are needed to
improve the security, safety, and
trustworthiness of cyberspace?
(2) Activities that Advance the
Strategic Plan:
(d) What activities are you or your
organization undertaking that support
the objectives of the strategic plan?
Please include a brief description of
initiatives, use-cases, capabilities,
technologies, and/or achievements.
PO 00000
Frm 00090
Fmt 4703
Sfmt 9990
(e) How might your organization
utilize the research outcomes?
(3) Sustainable Progress:
(f) What interactions, relationships,
campaigns, or targeted assistance would
support a sustainable process to drive
changes envisioned by the research
themes?
(g) What engagements among Federal
agencies, government labs, industry,
and universities are particularly
effective in enabling rapid progress in
the development of solutions?
To further enhance discussions
related to cybersecurity research and
this RFC, the Government held a session
on Federal cybersecurity research and
development during the National
Science Foundation’s Secure and
Trustworthy Cyberspace Principal
Investigators Meeting. The session took
place on November 27, 2012. The
webcast of this session is accessible at:
https://www.tvworldwide.com/events/
nsf/121127. Additional information
about the National Science Foundation’s
meeting is at: https://cps-vo.org/group/
satc.
Submission Instructions
Submission email: submit your
comments to cybersecurity@nitrd.gov.
Submission deadline: to be
considered, submissions must be
received by January 11, 2013.
To the extent applicable, when
addressing a particular question
included in this request for comments,
comments should reference the relevant
number associated with the question.
Comments submitted will be made
available to the public online or by
alternative means. For this reason, do
not include in your comments
information of a confidential nature,
such as sensitive personal information
or proprietary information. In
accordance with FAR 15.202(3),
responses to this notice are not offers
and cannot be accepted by the
Government to form a binding contract.
Responders are solely responsible for all
expenses associated with responding to
this RFC.
Submitted by the National Science
Foundation for the National
Coordination Office (NCO) for
Networking and Information
Technology Research and Development
(NITRD).
Dated: December 21, 2012.
Suzanne H. Plimpton,
Reports Clearance Officer, National Science
Foundation.
[FR Doc. 2012–31168 Filed 12–27–12; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 7555–01–P
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28DEN1
]]>Agencies
[Federal Register Volume 77, Number 249 (Friday, December 28, 2012)]
[Notices]
[Pages 76537-76538]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2012-31168]
=======================================================================
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NATIONAL SCIENCE FOUNDATION
Notice of Extension of Public Comment Period: Request for
Comments (RFC)--Federal Cybersecurity Research and Development
Strategic Plan
AGENCY: The National Coordination Office (NCO) for Networking
Information Technology Research and Development (NITRD), NSF.
ACTION: Notice of Extension of Public Comment Period: Request for
Comments (RFC).
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Tomas Vagoun at vagoun@nitrd.gov or
(703) 292-4873.
DATES: To be considered, submissions must be received by January 11,
2013.
SUMMARY: National Coordination Office (NCO) for Networking Information
Technology Research and Development (NITRD) has extended the public
comment period for its Request for
[[Page 76538]]
Comments (RFC)--Federal Cybersecurity Research and Development
Strategic Plan [Federal Register Volume 77, Number 227, Doc No: 2012-
28481, November 26, 2012] to January 11, 2013. Comments are to be
submitted to cybersecurity@nitrd.gov.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: This Request For Comments (RFC), originally
published in the Federal Register on November 26, 2012 [FR Volume 77,
Number 227, Doc No: 2012-28481] is issued by the Cyber Security and
Information Assurance Research and Development Senior Steering Group
(SSG) of the Federal Networking and Information Technology Research and
Development (NITRD) Program. The SSG is preparing a report to provide
an update on technological developments in Federal cybersecurity
research and development since the release of the 2011 Federal
Cybersecurity Research and Development Strategic Plan (the strategic
plan). Also, in light of the ever evolving technological landscape of
cybersecurity, and as input to its follow-on report, the SSG seeks
comments on the progress over the past year in the research areas
identified in the strategic plan, the strategic plan's impact in
orienting private sector cybersecurity research and development
activities, the successes and challenges in achieving the technological
objectives outlined in the plan, and on any nascent or emerging areas
in cybersecurity research and development that warrant further focus.
Additionally, the comments will be used by the SSG in its assessment of
future needs and directions in Federal cybersecurity research and
development.
Continued cybersecurity research and development is critical to
ensuring that we are on track as a Nation to develop innovative tools
and capabilities to address cybersecurity threats. In December 2011,
the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy (OSTP) released
the ``Trustworthy Cyberspace: Strategic Plan for the Federal
Cybersecurity Research and Development Program,'' a framework for a set
of coordinated Federal strategic priorities and objectives for
cybersecurity research. (https://www.nitrd.gov/Publications/PublicationDetail.aspx?pubid=39)
The strategic plan was developed under the leadership of the Cyber
Security and Information Assurance Research and Development Senior
Steering Group (SSG) of the Federal Networking and Information
Technology Research and Development (NITRD) Program. It identifies key
cybersecurity research and development themes that are shaping and
facilitating a coordinated Federal research and development agenda to
engender game-changing technologies. With this overarching template,
the federal scientific community has been focusing on a common set of
problems. The strategic plan is being executed by all of the agencies
conducting and funding Federal cybersecurity research, including DARPA,
Department of Homeland Security, Department of Energy, IARPA, National
Institute of Standards and Technology, National Security Agency,
National Science Foundation, and the Department of Defense. Input from
industry, academia, and other stakeholders during the development of
the strategic plan contributed greatly to the formulation of Federal
research directions in cybersecurity. Guided by this plan, many
research activities, initiatives, and solicitations have already been
launched by Federal agencies in all areas defined by the plan.
In an effort to continue to evolve Federal strategic directions in
cybersecurity research, the SSG seeks comments to gain a better
understanding of the plan's impact. Furthermore, the SSG seeks input
regarding prospective areas in cybersecurity research and development
that might benefit from coordinated support by Federal agencies. To
assist with its report, the SSG is requesting that interested parties
submit written comments. We welcome comments from all interested
parties, including, but not limited to, academia, private industry, and
all levels of government. We seek comments on the following questions
in relation to the strategic plan:
(1) Research Themes of the Strategic Plan:
(a) Do the research themes need to be refined or enhanced? If so,
in what way?
(b) What are the research, development, implementation, transition-
to-practice, or other challenges that need to be overcome to achieve
the goals under each theme?
(c) Are there areas in cybersecurity research not addressed by the
strategic plan that should be? If yes, what are they, why are they
important, and what advances in such areas are needed to improve the
security, safety, and trustworthiness of cyberspace?
(2) Activities that Advance the Strategic Plan:
(d) What activities are you or your organization undertaking that
support the objectives of the strategic plan? Please include a brief
description of initiatives, use-cases, capabilities, technologies, and/
or achievements.
(e) How might your organization utilize the research outcomes?
(3) Sustainable Progress:
(f) What interactions, relationships, campaigns, or targeted
assistance would support a sustainable process to drive changes
envisioned by the research themes?
(g) What engagements among Federal agencies, government labs,
industry, and universities are particularly effective in enabling rapid
progress in the development of solutions?
To further enhance discussions related to cybersecurity research
and this RFC, the Government held a session on Federal cybersecurity
research and development during the National Science Foundation's
Secure and Trustworthy Cyberspace Principal Investigators Meeting. The
session took place on November 27, 2012. The webcast of this session is
accessible at: https://www.tvworldwide.com/events/nsf/121127. Additional
information about the National Science Foundation's meeting is at:
https://cps-vo.org/group/satc.
Submission Instructions
Submission email: submit your comments to cybersecurity@nitrd.gov.
Submission deadline: to be considered, submissions must be received
by January 11, 2013.
To the extent applicable, when addressing a particular question
included in this request for comments, comments should reference the
relevant number associated with the question. Comments submitted will
be made available to the public online or by alternative means. For
this reason, do not include in your comments information of a
confidential nature, such as sensitive personal information or
proprietary information. In accordance with FAR 15.202(3), responses to
this notice are not offers and cannot be accepted by the Government to
form a binding contract. Responders are solely responsible for all
expenses associated with responding to this RFC.
Submitted by the National Science Foundation for the National
Coordination Office (NCO) for Networking and Information Technology
Research and Development (NITRD).
Dated: December 21, 2012.
Suzanne H. Plimpton,
Reports Clearance Officer, National Science Foundation.
[FR Doc. 2012-31168 Filed 12-27-12; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 7555-01-P
